A NEW bus service operating between Thirsk, Sowerby and Northallerton is attracting little support.

Wensleydale Railway Company introduced a service of hourly double-deckers, open-topped in fine weather. The company also operates a late night bus from Northallerton to Thirsk on Saturdays at 11.20pm and 2.15am.

But all the buses are running virtually empty.

Mayor of Thirsk Freda Roberts said: "It is such a shame that the service is not being taken advantage of. Perhaps people are put off by the title of the buses - Wensleydale Railway - and think that if they board them they are going to be taken to the railway station at Hawes.

"We have had so few bus services in the past, I do hope people will support this initiative. If they don't use it they will lose it."

John Harker, supervisor for Wensleydale Railway Company, said: "We started operating the new service two weeks ago. We thought people might use this service instead of having to travel all round the villages to get to Northallerton and back.

A director of the company, Scott Handley, said: "We are running the service entirely without subsidy so we do need support from the public. The service will run until September."

Operations director Dave Woracker said: "We expect the new 'nightclubber' bus to be very popular with young people, as our similar late service covering, Bedale, Masham and Leyburn has been over the past two years."

Wensleydale Railway Company aims to reopen the rail service from Northallerton to Garsdale. Any profits made by the buses or other projects are ploughed back into the campaign.